Review: THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, Birmingham Rep Theatre, March 23 2016

With an original publication date back in 1836, Nikolai Gogol's satirical play The Government Inspector is certainly not new writing. Some 180 years on, the text centring on greed and political anarchy in Russia is still being performed. The storyline has had a wealth of incarnations over the years in film, theatre and TV; including a particularly memorable episode of Fawlty Towers. Ultimately a comedy, the play tells of a town expecting a visit from a Government Inspector and before this happens, the Mayor has to try and tidy up/hide all of his wrong doings towards the discontented local people. When a well-dressed and seemingly charming gentleman Khlestakov arrives, the townsfolk all jump to the conclusion that he is the Inspector. But is he?

Roxana Silbert directs this new interpretation for Birmingham Rep before heading out on a short UK tour. The difference here however is that the production is currently breaking huge boundaries. With captions, BSL and audio description wholly integrated into the performance, this show will be like nothing you have seen before, but based on this model, will be something a lot more widely used in the future. Along with associate Director Ewan Marshall (who used to be heavily involved with the disabled-led Graeae Theatre Company), both have shaped an immersive and exciting piece of theatre. Furthermore, initiative Ramps on the Moon enables more deaf and disabled artists to be at the forefront of new work; highlighting a welcome change in public perception. With an eighteen-strong cast consisting of disabled and non-disabled artists, it is undoubtedly a valuable education for those working on the show and the audience watching.

Ti Green's set is rich, opulent and packed full of colour. Its grandeur is very much reminiscent of The Grand Budapest Hotel; a reference that the creative team have acknowledged themselves as one of their inspirations. Split across two levels, there are revolving doors, staircases and even a lift which causes much amusement at times. Chahine Yavroyan's lighting further enhances the feel of Mayor's house and is able to differentiate well between the general scenes playing out and the dream-like sequences that pop up sporadically. The upstage AV design by Timothy Bird is brilliantly done but gets a bit lost behind the detailed set. Above all of the action, captions are shown on a screen. Perfectly positioned, these can be clearly followed throughout but it's also easy to ignore them if you wish.

David Carlyle is superb as the Mayor. The dialogue is snappy and fast paced which occasionally can be a little difficult to keep up with. However, there is enough light and shade in Carlyle's performance to keep your attention from waning. He is incredibly comfortable with his heightened sense of power and exercises schadenfreude if you will. However, there is a sudden change to franticness that takes over when he hears the Inspector is already in town. His wife Anna (Kiruna Stamell) and daughter Maria (Francesca Mills) give very engaging performances; Mills' energy is particularly infectious. Also Khlestakov is a perfectly charming and accomplished swindler played convincingly by Robin Morrissey.

Ultimately the stars of the show for me are the performers who also translate the dialogue throughout using BSL - Daryl Jackson, Jean St Clair and Becky Barry. Barry in particular is a force throughout and is very vibrant with her interpretation. As someone who doesn't read signing, she is still fascinating to watch. It is to be commended that these individuals, along with their creative direction, can incorporate BSL into a performance so brilliantly.

Overly pacy in places but a rare gem with a remarkable cast.

The Government Inspector runs at Birmingham Rep until 26 March and tours the UK until June 2016.

Photo credit: Robert Day

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